Konica Minolta Business Solutions

Putting greater emphasis on applications and business development tools has been a growing trend among trade show exhibitors.

The focus at Graph Expo was on what’s available to buy today, especially with the deadline looming for the investment tax credit. Digital press vendors asserted that the current economic conditions play to the technology’s strengths. Shorter runs produced on demand combined with more targeted, personalized printing enable the industry’s end customers to make the most of their printing spend, the argument goes. And, it’s more sustainable to boot.

RAMSEY, NJ—October 21, 2008—Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta), a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, today announced it is again expanding its robust offerings for the production print market, all of which will be showcased during Graph Expo® 2008. The new offerings – highlighted by innovative print systems and software enhancements – enable commercial printers to improve productivity, quality and efficiency.

Bowne Obtains RSG Digital NEW YORK—Bowne & Co. has acquired the digital printing business of Rapid Solutions Group, a subsidiary of Janus Capital Group, for $14.5 million. RSG Digital has annual sales of about $45 million. RSG’s digital printing unit operates facilities in Chicago and Melville, NY. Genesis Printing Faces Attacks MOONVILLE, SC—Within a span of two weeks, Genesis Printing was the victim of two separate incidents, one involving racist vandalism and, the most recent, a fire that caused $5 million in damage. Police are investigating a possible connection between the two attacks on the printer. No injuries were reported due to the fire,

Commercial Web Printers Compare Notes CHICAGO—MAN Roland held its first Commercial Customers Conference as a way of getting its commercial web press users together in a forum where everyone can benefit from one another, explains Douglas Bradley, vice president of web service at MAN Roland. “We developed the conference to focus on the topics that have the greatest impact on the key metrics of their businesses. Through interactive discussion and structured presentations, we can share ideas to help everyone improve their operational performance.” The conference, held in conjunction with Graph Expo in September and conducted at Chicago’s James Hotel, was themed “A Partnership Focused

RAMSEY, NJ—Konica Minolta Printing Solutions is being merged with Konica Minolta Business Solutions, which will allow the combined unit to offer customers document creation, production and management solutions ranging from small home/office environments to large production operations.Jun Haraguchi will continue to serve president and CEO of Konica Minolta Business Solutions.

Open House Event Touts By-the-Book Production HAUPPAUGE, NY—Muller Martini and Nipson recently teamed up to host an open house at Muller Martini’s headquarters on Long Island. The theme for the day was short-run book production using the latest on-demand digital printing and finishing technology. “We see 2007 as a transitional year for digital print manufacturing, during which the industry will fully realize what on-demand technologies are capable of,” noted Robert Stabler, of Nipson America. “The short-run book market will grow very strongly.” According to Stabler, book publishers gain a number of benefits from being able to print lower quantities with digital technology. These include

Next Set of M4D Reports Published SEWICKLEY, PA—PIA/GATF’s Digital Printing Council (DPC) has released the second set of eight reports from its Marketing 4 Digital (M4D) research project. The goal of the project is to provide digital and conventional printers the information and insight they need to sell their services to 24 vertical market segments. Markets covered in this set of reports include gas and electric (utilities), hotel (hospitality and tourism), office supplies/home improvement (retail trade), banks (financial services), investment companies (financial services), travel agencies (hospitality and tourism), telecom (utilities) and professional services (legal, accounting, etc.). The reports are available for purchase through the PIA/GATF bookstore at

BY MARK SMITH Technology Editor Scientists have challenged its veracity, but the "boiling frog" legend endures. Here's a short version: Drop a frog into a pot of boiling water and it will immediately jump up. Place a frog into a pot of temperate water, then slowly turn up the heat, and it will stay in the pot until it is overcome. Admittedly, the dire consequences of this cautionary tale are overblown when it's applied to the current status of digital printing. Nonetheless, it does give one a visceral sense for how the slow pace of a change can mask its magnitude over time

On Demand Closes Doors on Its New York City Run NEW YORK—Two surprises awaited exhibitors and attendees at the recent 2004 On Demand Conference & Exposition. Unfortunately, they both related to the event itself. On the first day, word spread of a change in location and timing for the next installment of the industry forum, which is scheduled to be held May 17-19, 2005, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in the heart of Philadelphia. There was no formal announcement, so most exhibitors first learned of the move when they were approached about reserving a booth for the 2005 show. The second surprise awaited attendees